What is the purpose of the Trust?

The purpose of The Two St James Trust (the "Trust")' is to support evangelical work that is faithful to biblical teaching in Gerrards Cross & Fulmer, the surrounding areas and further afield. It is not limited geographically in its scope. It can own assets (typically buildings) for evangelical purposes and provide funds for evangelical work. Currently the Trust owns two houses in Gerrards Cross which are available for a discount to the market rent to the PCC of Saint James, Gerrards Cross & Fulmer for its staff. Both houses are currently rented for such purposes. We are working in partnership with Saint James to add two new properties to the portfolio to provide further housing for those in ministry in the local area. 

Is the Trust’s activity focused solely on property going forwards?

The vision and purpose of the Trust is about more than simply owning property but that is its core activity at present. For more information on the Trust's purpose and goals see the 'About' page on this website.

How can I keep up to date with the Trust's activities?

In general, the Trust will maintain its website with information and any relevant updates.  At Saint James, the supporting activities of the Trust will be included in their Annual Report, as well as via the regular communication channels of Prayer Central, Sunday notices, and Saint James Together.

How can we be confident in the governance of the Trust when there are only 4 Trustees? These Trustees will presumably change over time.

The Trust is a registered charity (Registered Charity Number 1117902) that is answerable to the Charity Commission for its purpose and practices as well as to Companies House for its financial accounts.  More details can be found under 'Governance'.

Is the Trust a registered charity?

The Trust is a registered charity (Registered Charity Number 1117902). This is a correction to the charity number printed in the hard copy of the project booklet, which was incorrectly shown on the pledge form on pages 11 and 12 of the booklet.

Does the diocese have any say over the Trust?

The Trust is an independent charitable trust with no links to the Diocese.

Which properties does the Trust own now?

The Trust currently owns a property in Pinewood Close on the edge of East Common, and a second property in the Uplands on the Dukes Wood estate in Gerrards Cross.  See the ‘Properties’ section of the Trust website for more details.

Who pays for the maintenance of the properties? Who organises it? Are the properties furnished?

The Trust covers the cost of maintenance using income received from rent and is responsible for maintaining the properties it owns. The houses are let unfurnished.  

What determines the rent that the PCC will pay for the properties?

The Trust has costs to cover in maintaining the properties.  In acquiring its properties in the past, the Trust has also had loans to repay.  In future, as the Trust grows, there may be a need for it to grow its balance sheet.  These all need factoring into any calculations and agreement regarding rent.  In the short term, it is in the best interests of the Saint James PCC to ensure that the Trust is in a strong financial position. 

Why does the Saint James PCC not just rent properties on the open market?

When the PCC rents property from the Trust, any ‘profit’ goes into supporting the work of God’s kingdom through the work of the Trust. The opposite is true when renting on the open market.  You could say it becomes ‘wasted’ money. That said, however, situations or circumstances may arise in the future in which the PCC has to rent property on the open market, though we hope this won’t be necessary (and especially as the Trust expands).

Will the Trust ever buy the PCC properties?

There is no plan currently for the Trust to purchase property from the PCC. Any sale of PCC property would have to be carried out in communication with the Diocese.

What happens when the Trust properties are vacant?

Depending on how long a property is expected to be vacant, it can be rented on the open market, as has been done in the past.  This ensures the property is providing the necessary income for the Trust whilst not being used by Saint James church.

What happens to the money raised if the Trust sells a property?

The Trust would retain any proceeds of a sale of one of their properties.  Although there would be open discussions with Saint James about how they would be used, the Trust retains agency over its funds.

What happens to the money if the Trust wraps up?

The Trust would be subject to the rules of the Charity Commission and the charity’s governing document.  This would usually require the Trustees to distribute any funds in accordance with the charitable objectives of the Trust.

Is there any formal agreement between the PCC and the Trust on how they will work together?

The Trust and Saint James have been working together for nearly 20 years and we are looking to formalise the arrangements between the two parties in the near future by putting in place a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will be reviewed periodically by the Trust and the Saint James PCC to ensure that there is clarity on how the Trust will work together with Saint James.  Although this will provide a good understanding of the arrangement, it will not be legally binding.

How can parishioners be sure that the Trust will support the needs of Saint James in the long term?

The charitable purpose of the Trust is to support evangelical work that is faithful to biblical teaching in Gerrards Cross and Fulmer, the surrounding areas and further afield.  As long as the PCC continues to maintain its commitment to evangelical ministry that is faithful to biblical teaching, there is no reason why the Trust should not support it. This is, after all, why the Trust was originally established.

Why should the Trust buy property rather than the PCC?

The PCC has decided it does not want the responsibility or distraction of managing more property.  It is also the case that the title deeds of any property purchased by the PCC are held by the Diocese of Oxford and there is increasing concern within the church family about the risks associated with that. A number of people who are willing to support a property purchase have expressed their unwillingness to give to the PCC for that purpose and as such, are only willing to give to the Trust. By supporting the Trust in buying properties, you can be confident that any funds given will be used to support faithful gospel ministry for the long-term in Gerrards Cross and Fulmer.  

Why do we need to buy a £1 million house when there are cheaper houses available in the area?

Many of Saint James ministry posts will be filled by families who need reasonable sized property.  Saint James ministry team use their homes for regular hospitality and sometimes for hosting groups and meetings.  In the first instance, this property will be used by the Associate Minister for Fulmer who in addition to hospitality and hosting will need space for  visiting family.

If more money is raised than is needed, where would it go?

Any money that is raised over and above the fundraising target will be retained by the Trust for further gospel ministry for Saint James church. This fundraising project is undertaken on the basis that the gifts are given for the purpose of supporting Saint James ministry needs. Far from being a case of funds given and raised ‘unnecessarily’ this would enable the Trust to move ahead in its further development sooner than anticipated. So, we hope and pray that God might “do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). 

How do I choose between giving money to the Saint James PCC and the Trust?

The PCC continues to pay for the ongoing ministry of Saint James through the giving of its members, as it has no other source of income. We are not asking you, therefore, to transfer your regular giving to the Trust. With the Resourcing for Growth, we have a particular funding need in which we are asking each person in the Saint James congregation to consider what they can commit to give over and above their regular church giving.  If you have any concerns about giving to the PCC and/or how your gift will be used, please get in touch with the Rector or one of the Churchwardens. 

How will progress on the fundraising campaign be communicated? And how will we receive updates on the property search?

There will be regular updates on progress through the usual channels: Prayer Central, Sunday notices, and Saint James Together.

Is this new property always going to be allocated to a Fulmer minister?

No. This is just one house in the property portfolio that is used for Saint James ministry staff.  The Associate Minister and his wife will remain in it whilst in post, but whenever properties become available, they will be allocated according to need and ‘best fit’ for staffing and ministry purposes.

What happens if we don't raise enough money in time for the summer of 2026 and the arrival of the Associate Minister for Fulmer?

To meet our timeline, the funding to purchase a property for the new Associate Minister for Fulmer needs to be place by April 2026. We are confident that the target will be met to buy the first property. If for some reason, as we draw near, it looks like it won’t be met, we will consider our contingency plans (see answer below). 

What happens if we don't complete on a property purchase in time for summer 2026?

If the completion of the purchase of a property is delayed beyond August, any course of action will depend on how long the delay is likely to be. The Trustees and Saint James PCC have considered contingency plans for a number of different scenarios. A short delay might involve asking the person appointed to delay his move for a period of time (this has already been discussed). For a longer delay, we may have to consider providing alternative accommodation, although the cost of doing so could be significant. Clearly, neither of these situations is desirable so we are encouraging everyone to give generously and sacrificially.

Are there any plans to change the houses that staff live in, so that accommodation is allocated as efficiently as possible and suitable for their needs?

The accommodation needs of staff members are dynamic, particularly for those at an earlier stage in their ministries. Like any of us, they benefit greatly from stability and from knowing they have somewhere they can call ‘home.’ Achieving a perfect match between the accommodation available and the needs of the staff team at any one time is ‘an art not a science’ and pretty much impossible. However, Saint James will, periodically, review with the Trustees whether the use of the property portfolio needs adjusting. 

What is the purpose of the proposed flat?

The proposed flat will be used to re-balance the property portfolio, adjusting the use of our properties, and it would enable us to stop paying rent on the open market.

What if I only wish to offer a loan? How/when would I get my money back? What if my circumstances were to change?

In this project we are primarily asking for gifts.  If you are in a position where you would like to loan money to the Trust for the purpose of supporting this project, please contact one of the Trustees for an initial discussion.  They will be able to address the details.

Can I be sure that the Trust will spend the money I give on the project that I'm giving to?

Any gifts given for a particular purpose will be restricted for that purpose unless otherwise agreed with the donor.

Who will know about my gift? Can I give anonymously? How will my gift be acknowledged if it is not anonymous?

The Trustees from the Trust and the fundraising team will be the only people who see your donation.  There will be a process of acknowledging gifts.

Can the Trust claim gift aid on my donation?

The Trust will be able to claim gift aid on your donation subject to you completing a gift aid declaration form.

How do I leave money in my will to the Trust?

If you are contemplating leaving a gift in your will to the Trust, please speak to one of the Trustees on how to do this. You can find their details on this website under 'Support'.

What would happen to the buildings if the Saint James congregation ceased to be a part of the Church of England?

The Trustees would be able to let the buildings owned by the Trust to the new church family operating outside of the Church of England. With respect to the buildings owned by the PCC, there would need to be an agreement with the Diocese on whether they could continue to be used by the Saint James church.  There is a high risk that they would cease to be available to the new church family.

7 December 2025